Rating: 
Summary: in defense...
Review: A lot of heat in that last review. I have never been tempted to write a review - but I thought this was a pretty decent book. I found the book interesting. I emailed the author and asked him about some of this controversy. He says- in response- that #1 the book was self-published because no one wanted to publish a book about Boingo (sorry but the band isn't a big hit machine. #2 forget what the curmudgeon Boingo member said several old band members have read the book and-hold your breath!-liked it. #3 it is not the Brothers K. I recommend it not because it is brilliant and amazingly well written. Not because it had every i dotted and t crossed. I recommend it because I love the band and I love that this guy wrote it. That's what fans do.
Rating: 
Summary: Direct quote: "Pure rubbish."
Review: As a Boingo fan, this is a book to read just say that you've read it. At times, the typing errors were distracting and so were the silly comments on songs, but I do believe that the pros outweigh the cons. The amount of information and Boingo interviews that you'll find in this book is worthwhile. And until someone else steps up to the plate to offer better book, this one will do. I think we Boingo fans should cut Breese some slack. He was at least motivated enough to attempt what the so called "hardcore" fans wont.
Rating:
Summary: nice try
Review: As a Boingo fan, this is a book to read just say that you've read it. At times, the typing errors were distracting and so were the silly comments on songs, but I do believe that the pros outweigh the cons. The amount of information and Boingo interviews that you'll find in this book is worthwhile. And until someone else steps up to the plate to offer better book, this one will do. I think we Boingo fans should cut Breese some slack. He was at least motivated enough to attempt what the so called "hardcore" fans wont.
Rating:
Summary: A fan's perspective
Review: As a fan of Boingo for over 20 years I've kind of gone with the ebb and flow of the band, from great albums to pretty lame ones. I've heard all the demos and rare trax. Stuff from the Mystic Knights and the outtakes and live songs. I'm a die-hard fan and I really like this book. Why? Well, for starters it's got an opinion. A lot of biographies I read about band's are cut and dry. They have no soul. This book has soul, whether you like it or not. Breese has opinions about songs. He admits to liking some and disliking others. He thinks "Right to Know" is not a great tune and I agree fully. He didn't enjoy "BOI-NGO" as much as I did. That's his opinion and I'd rather read a biography with somthing to say than read a kiss-up loveletter to a now defunct band. I was disappointed that a lot of the material in the book is quoted from other sources. Having read all that stuff before I was looking for some new info. I found some, but it was lacking the real meat that I wanted. The writing is good. An editor would've been nice, but, I think that this was an independent book so I'm not surpised that it's rough around the edges. Breese's takes on some of the songs are actually quite funny and very inventive. I don't think the book belongs in everyone's Boingo library. But, if you are a fan with a sense of humor and want to read someone's interpretation of the band's work then check this out.
Rating: 
Summary: May not be fully factual... but that's not the point....
Review: Despite previous reviewers criticsm, this is really a good book and the only book on Boingo. And like the band it's a bit obscure. The book as a whole is energetic, poetic, fun and entertaining. ( I love the illustrations.) Sure, some of the reviews are slanted and sure some of the facts are off (and yes, there are some textual -editing- problems), but that adds to the "rough" fun. If you read the author's intro you'll notice that this was never intended as the be-all end-all book, and he acknowledges that the facts are confused -- the author even hints that this is on purpose! The author interviewed some band members and the book has many quotes you can't find on the net, and certainly not in liner notes (?!). All in all the book is a very fun read, it's not Shakespeare, but we're talking about Oingo Boingo here! If you're a true Boingo fan check it out, heck, it's worth the cost just for the "gig" lists...
Rating:
Summary: Great time killer, but...
Review: Finding info on Boingo can be frustrating, and this book solves a lot of the problem- full of info and insight, but also CHOCK FULL of typos and misinformation. A great primer, esp. finding out about 'lost' tracks, but this is more of a fan-boy perspective, as opposed to a clinical overview of Boingo's wonderful career. All the above aside, it's still an entertaining read, and I couldn't put it down- finsished it in one night.
Thanks to Keith for the first, semi-definitive book.
Rating: 
Summary: Typo after typo after typo
Review: I have yet to finish the book, I'm only on page 80 or so. But I find myself cringing over every page. I do not claim to have master the English language, but I know enough about it to have a degree in it. When I read that Mr. Breese is a teacher, I almost cried. And people wonder why our education system is so bad! As for content: I admit that I wasn't exposed to Boingo until 1993 or so. I did not already know all about the evolution of the band. I wasn't even alive for the beginnings. So, the book has (so far) taught me some information I find valuable. As was said in other reviews, Keith Breese mentions every song unnecessarily. I wouldn't have minded so much if he gave samples of lyrics, but to mention the songs just for the sake of taking up space is ridiculous. It really seems to me that he didn't get the necessary permission to print lyrics or original Boingo artwork. He mentions specifics in a round-about way, and leaves out the samples. It would have been better to have more of the actual album covers shown than the art of a virtual stranger. I cannot rightly recommend this book. However, I will be loaning my copy to my closest Boingoloid friends. Tedious as it is to read, and as much as the gross number of typos cause me pain, you read it to say that you've read it. Otherwise, it just looks good as a fan to have the only Boingo history written on the shelf.
Rating: 
Summary: great fun
Review: I really enjoyed this book. As a true Boingo fan (at least from the late 80's)I'd been aware of the book before it came out and was impressed when it did. Hey, to think that it was even made is more than enough reason to buy it. It is interesting to note that a reader below mentioned that the artwork was from a stranger. Well, maybe to you. Actually the artist whose work illustrates the book is a hot new talent in L.A., his animation has become something of a cult fad. Cool that he lent his work to this project. Also heard, through a friend, that the author is considering re-issuing the book in a re-edited format (fixing the typos and adding new info since he's talked to some of the band members in detail since the book was published.)Don't know if it will happen though...anyway, enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Well done!
Review: If you're a true Boingo fan you'll get this book anyway. It contains comments by Danny Elfman, descriptions of every cd and every song. Whether you know Oingo Boingo very well, or if you're a rookie, this book offers excellent content. The author is a poet... so you won't encounter uninspired material. This history of Oingo Boingo covers the Mystic Knights area as well. It explors each CD in a timeline related to the groups state and stage of development. In short... you don't want to overlook this book... no matter what your opinions are.
Rating:
Summary: Kudos for writing it, but...
Review: Kudos for writing it, but this is nothing more than a re-writing of other people's interviews and work, and most "factual" information is based on the writer's own bootleg collection. And being close with the band for many years, 40% of this book I know to be absolutely wrong. Speculation is not fact. I'd rather have a book that is 50 less pages than watch the author try to piece things together and fill in the gaps with his own weirdness. It does have its amusments though, and reprints of interviews/reviews that would be difficult to track down otherwise, but it simply isn't worth the price of admission.
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